2014 in Review

Let's do a high-low; it is a game where you pick one "high" and one "low" from a predetermined time. The highlight of 2014 was, without a doubt, adopting Liam. The low was our miscarriage. 2014 was such a challenge. I was alone a lot. I spent a lot of time with Liam. I adopted a dog that gave me my first ever panic attack. I pursued photography and friendships. I explored. I reflected. I cried and I laughed. I learned so much about myself and I felt like I lost myself and re-found myself over and over. My word of the year was Wholehearted. I definitely put my whole heart into 2014. 

We are ending 2014 a few pounds lighter after finishing our Whole30. Dan lost 14.5, I lost 8. I'm training for the DisneyWorld Glass Slipper Challenge (a 10k followed by a half marathon). I want 2015 to be our healthiest year yet. I'd say we're off to a good start!

My heart was heavy until I looked through these photos. Pictures have a way of lifting my spirits. Returning to these places and times - with these sweet people - are just a glimpse of all the good memories from 2014.

Our Year in Pictures 

Tonight, I've got a pie to bake and lots of food to prepare. We have a few friends coming over to ring in the new year. Happy New Year!
xo.LINDSY

Movin' to the Country

It pains me to admit this but I've been a little dissatisfied with Nashville. One of the main reasons we moved here was cost of living...and, well...click here: pic.twitter.com/MEfbjdFGux. I quit working full-time to pursue a life of photography, event planning and hanging out with my newly-adopted son. It's almost been a year since we signed our lease here in Nashville. Our townhouse has served us well and we almost renewed our lease. Until we found this:

THE IDYLLIC TENNESSEE FARMHOUSE

We found a little town about 20 minutes outside the city. Good schools, easy freeway access, friendly people - for 50 cents a square foot. This house has the best of city and country. It's less than a mile from the town square, groceries, Starbucks, next door to an elementary school and half a mile from a huge park. It sits on about 2 acres with a creek in the side yard and a hay field out back. We wont have a dishwasher and the attic is pretty much condemned so we can only use it for storage. But, you cant beat the price or convenience. We are thrilled! Looking forward to dinner parties, porch hangs and huge bonfires in the fall. 

Joyeux Noël | Our Christmas in France

In 2006 we spent our Christmas in Grenoble, France. This is where we lived at the time, for nearly a year. We were there to assist the International Church of Grenoble and a beautiful camp in the Alps called Champfleuri (Field of Flowers). We miss it every winter. 

We were house sitting for some American expatriates in a beautiful home with mountain views. We had some German friends over for pancakes and then we gave each other gifts. There was no tree, no candle lit service, no cookies or carols. It was simple, to say the least.

That Christmas was the first Christmas without my extended family and friends. It was the first time when opening gifts took 5 minutes instead of 5 hours (that is not an exaggeration). And still, it felt special.

Everyone's always talking about the "true meaning of Christmas". You find this theme in just about every Christmas movie. Is it family? Is it giving? I think it's found in the quiet. In the reflection on a silent, holy night over 2000 years ago. When a baby changed everything.

Merry Christmas, Friends. Joyeux Noël!

New Years Eve in Paris

Around Nashville: The Impeccable Pig

I shot a party last night at a boutique on 21st Ave known as The Impeccable Pig. This boutique, located in the Hillsboro-Vanderbilt neighborhood (near the world famous Pancake Pantry) is festooned with beautiful statement pieces like gold rompers and lacy red dresses. I seriously wanted one of everything. Normally at a boutique I drool over high-end items and only dream about making a purchase but The Impeccable Pig was surprisingly affordable. I didn't see very many items over triple digits. The party was hosted by Brooke of KB Styled and the lovely ladies at Royal Flair Events. If you're looking for some pretty, stylish pieces this holiday check out The Impeccable Pig! 

 

Click here for locations.

xo.LINDSY

Whole 30

Yesterday we started the Whole 30 Program. For 30 days we will cut out all processed foods. The plan is simple:

Eat meat, seafood, eggs, tons of vegetables, some fruit, and plenty of good fats from fruits, oils, nuts and seeds. Eat foods with very few ingredients, all pronounceable ingredients, or better yet, no ingredients listed at all because they’re totally natural and unprocessed. 

We're hoping to kick start our metabolism and curb our (sugar/carb/dairy) cravings. I am convinced that Dan has food allergies and this plan should help us see if he does. I'm just trying to figure out why I feel like crap 90% of the time.

So, I was asked to share some recipes. It's very basic food. Cook meat, add veggies, snack on fruit. I dont have recipes yet but I do have some tips and ideas:

1. Trader Joe's Cruciferous Crunch is a MUST-HAVE. It's kale, brussels sprouts, broccoli and cabbage chopped up into little pieces. We like to toss it in a pan with some olive oil and add an egg or two. Top with hot sauce and black pepper.
2. Costco has organic, grass-fed ground beef that is delicious and affordable. Buy some.
3. Lobster is one of my favorite foods that I dont get to eat very often. It's really easy to cook and more affordable than you might think. Costco sold us two tails for $20. (I bought one in Seattle a few years ago for $30 so I felt like it was a good deal.)
4. Snack on apples to curb sugar cravings.
5. Have an emergency food stash. Speaking of apples, I dont particularly like apples but it's nice to have them around for an easy and portable snack. We also have a jar of cashews to snack on.
6. Make extra. We're only two days in and I feel like I'm doing a lot of cooking, prepping and cleaning. Making an extra chicken breast, for example, and saving it for tomorrow's salad is a good idea.

I like that Whole 30 has me reading labels and finding out what's really in my food. (Like...Surprise, Siracha's second ingredient is sugar! Now you know.)  We look forward to sharing our success with you! Cheers to good health!

See more at: whole30.com!